Eastie topples Townies

It was just an early regular-season game, but that doesn't mean the rivalry between traditional boys' basketball powers Charlestown and East Boston was any less intense yesterday.

Even before tipoff, a scuffle erupted at center court between the teams that battled in last year's Division 2 North final. Officials, coaches, and police quickly restored order.

And that intensity carried over into the game, but unfortunately for the Townies, East Boston played with a lot more of it and dominated the reigning state champions, 85-58, before a packed East Boston gym.

Sophomore Jarred Calhoun led the Jets, who improved to 4-2, with 24 points. Cocaptains Aaron Williams and Tyrone Hughes added 21 and 19 points, respectively, as East Boston, which never trailed, put the game away by outscoring Charlestown, 45-21, in the second half.

The Jets, who avenged last year's 2-point North final loss, played tight defense, went hard after loose balls, and forced 24 turnovers. The aggressive play was just what his team needed, said first-year East Boston coach Malcolm Smith, who used some unorthodox drills early in the week after a sluggish practice.

''I won't say exactly what we did with some football equipment, but let's just say some feelings got hurt, some bones got hurt, and I've got parents that are upset about it," said Smith, a former assistant coach at UMass-Boston. ''But I felt we had to make a statement to ourselves. We have a long way to go and we're going to struggle, but our toughness is going to carry us this year."

Eastie opened the second half with a 15-2 run spurred by Hughes. After scoring in the post on a pass from Michael Pierre-Louis, Hughes followed with a 3-pointer and a layup off a steal to give the Jets a 49-39 lead. Charlestown struggled with East Boston's halfcourt press, and three quick baskets by Williams stretched the lead to 22 points.

''[East Boston was] more aggressive," said Charlestown coach Jack O'Brien, who, along with East Boston, has moved to Division 1 this season after capturing five of the last six Division 2 state titles. ''But I told my players that that is going to happen. Nothing ever comes easy, especially when you're Charlestown and everyone is gunning for you."

The Townies fell behind by as many as 13 points in the first half before closing the gap with a 12-4 run.

Charlestown (4-1) was led by junior guard Paul Becklens's 14 points.

Boston City: Junior Derek Neal had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists as Brighton (4-1) defeated South Boston, 83-55 . . . Senior Treva Holmes collected 17 points and 13 rebounds and Raheem Singleton added 16 points and 12 assists as Madison Park (4-0) rolled past Upper Quincy, 74-36.

Mayflower: Senior Matt Doyle (16 points) and junior Steve Nicotara (14) led South Shore (5-1) to a 66-28 victory over Sacred Heart (6-2).

Nonleague: Mystic Valley (2-3) got 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists from senior Michael Richardson as the first-year varsity team beat Waldorf, 50-20.

Girls' basketball

Boston City: January Daniel had 22 points and five assists and Brittney Eliss added 11 points and 11 rebounds as Brighton (4-0) defeated South Boston, 77-27 . . . Mikayla Hasberry scored 23 points as Charlestown (4-1) dominated East Boston, 72-32.

Dual County: Juniors Carolyn Sword (22 points, 11 rebounds) and Brittany Phillips (16 points, 10 rebounds) led second-ranked Lincoln-Sudbury (5-1) to a 64-35 victory over Concord-Carlisle.

Girls' gymnastics

Dual County: Newton South (2-0) set a school record for team score in a 133.8-132.9 victory over Lincoln-Sudbury. The old mark was 133.0. Freshman Violette Chartock also set school records, scoring 9.8 on the balance beam, 9.1 on the uneven bars, and 36.1 in the all-around.

Globe correspondent Michelle Bradley, coaches, and assistants contributed to this report.